John Barron

John Barron is the presenter of ABC Fact Check. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist and broadcaster. He has hosted news and current affairs programs Planet America, The Drum, The Future Forum and The Party Reagan on ABC News24. He has presented the national Breakfast and Drive programs on ABC NewsRadio, written a book about American politics and is a research associate at the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney.

The Republicans now face a difficult choice: take Donald Trump seriously and risk turning their party into a joke, or freeze him out and risk the tycoon running a damaging third-party campaign instead.

Whether Jeb Bush is running for president out of obligation or conviction is beside the point for some conservatives - for them the question is whether they are in danger of being "fooled" by a Bush for the third time.

If presidential hopeful Martin O'Malley can give Democrats someone else to consider and journalists someone else to write about, it will make the next 12 months more interesting, if not less predictable.

Senator Bernie Sanders is running for president with one goal in mind. It's not the White House, it's turning the spotlight on secretive political donations and the corporate giants who bankroll elections.

He's a Tea Party favourite who can sound like a left winger and a Washington senator who is running against the DC machine. Meet Rand Paul, the second Republican to declare his candidacy for the 2016 US presidential election.

Given all the Clintons have been accused of, perhaps it's not surprising Hillary Clinton has developed a reputation for being secretive and suspicious. But her use of a personal email address for official business as secretary of state doesn't help.

This is a story about an African-American with an inspiring biography and fine oratory skills who made his reputation with a single speech and was then urged to run for president. (No, it's not who you are probably thinking about.)

Even before the presidential race begins, there are plenty of potential starters in the mounting yard. Among them, a dark horse from the heartland who may claim the Republican Party nomination, and just possibly the Presidency.

Investment strategist Paul Schulte says Australian banks are lending too much money. ABC Fact Check finds that while his claim that Australia's loan-to-deposit ratio is high checks out, it doesn't take into account the stable nature of Australia's banking system and the fact that our loan-to-deposit ratio is getting better. The claim is overblown.

Scott Morrison says people illegally enter Australia when they come without a valid visa and says the term 'illegal entry' is used in international conventions. ABC Fact Check finds that statement correct.

Opposition Climate spokesman Greg Hunt says CSIRO research shows carbon emissions can be reduced by 20 per cent over 40 years using nature, soils and trees. ABC Fact Check finds Mr Hunt is not giving the full story.